Nickel complex catalyst compositions



United States Patent 3,490,745 NICKEL COMPLEX CATALYST COMPOSITIONS Sterling F. Chappell III, and Jerome R. Olechowski, Lake Charles, and Arthur A. Arseneaux, New Orleans, La., assignors to Columbian Corbon Company, New York, N .Y., a corporation of Delaware N0 Drawing. Filed Oct. 5, 1966, Ser. No. 584,358 Int. Cl. Bfllj 11/00, 11/84; C08f N28 US. Cl. 252-430 30 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Processes are described for preparing nickel complex catalyst compositions by reducing a nickel (II) or nickel (III) compound with an organometallic reducing agent in the presence of carbon monoxide and a molecular organic Lewis base. These complexes are shown to be useful as catalysts for the production of homooligomers of conjugated dienes and cooligomers of these dienes with ethylene, styrene, acetylenes, vinyl halides or alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl and nitrile compounds.

This invention relates to catalyst compositions, and more particularly to active nickel catalyst compositions which are especially useful in the oligomerization of aliphatic conjugated diolefin-containing monomer feeds.

It is known to oligomerize 1,3-butadiene or like conjugated diolefins by contacting the diolefin or a mixture of diolefin and ethylene in the liquid phase with a preformed molecular organic Lewis base complex of nickel (0), such as one having the structural formula: (L),,Ni(CO)., wherein L is a molecular Lewis base, preferably an ester of a trivalent Group V-A element having an atomic weight of from about 30 to about 209, and n is an integer from 0 to 4 inclusive. Catalyst compositions of this type have heretofore been prepared by contacting nickel tetra carbonyl with an organic molecular Lewis base, such as triphenyl arsine, optionally in the presence of an activator compound, such as triethylaluminum. While such preformed complexes are effective in the homo-oligomerization of butadiene or the cooligomerization of butadiene with ethylene, they have not been widely used commercially because of their limited availability, a fact attributable largely to the difiiculty and expense involved in their conventional synthesis from extremely toxic nickel tetra carbonyl.

An alternate known procedure, which avoids the necessity of handling nickel tetra carbonyl and which generally can be conducted under somewhat milder reaction conditions, involves oligomerizing a conjugated diene, such as butadiene, in the presence of a positive valence nickel compound and a metal alkyl, such as triethylaluminum. The catalyst composition which is prepared in situ in such reaction system is believed to be a complex of the Lewis base diene and nickel (0). A major disadvantage of this method is that the reaction rate is relatively slow and as much as 24 hours or more may be required to achieve reasonable monomer conversion levels.

3,490,745 Patented Jan. 20, 1970 Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide an improved active nickel coordination catalyst.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved active nickel coordination catalyst which when employed in the oligomerization of conjugated diolefincontaining monomer feeds, e.g. 1,3-butadiene or a mixture of 1,3-butadiene and ethylene or like co-monomer, enables the reaction to proceed at a relatively rapid rate.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an improved process for preparing an active nickel coordination catalyst.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the fOllOWing detailed description thereof.

The present invention is predicated on our discovery that conjugated diolefinic hydrocarbons may be effectively oligomerized by contacting the diolefin with a catalyst composition produced by admixing the diene, under substantially anhydrous conditions, with a nickel (positive valence) compound, a metal alkyl, such as triethyl aluminum, and carbon monoxide. More particularly, we have now surprisingly found that such catalyst composition permits the homo-oligomerization of conjugated diolefins or co-oligomerization of conjugated diolefins with a co-monomer to proceed at a decidedly more rapid rate than the prior art in situ catalysts as described above.

Furthermore, we have found that the homo-oligomerization of 1,3-butadiene according to the process of our present invention results in exceptionally high selectivities of cyclododecatriene (C products, e.g. 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene, and that the cooligomerization of butadiene and ethylene results in exceptionally high selectivities of C oligomers, e.g. LS-cyclodecadiene and 1,4,9-decatriene.

As noted above, the catalyst compositions utilized in the practice of the present invention are prepared by admixing under substantially anhydrous conditions a nickel (positive valence) compound, a reducing agent capable of reducing the valence of nickel to below 2 (e.g. 0), a molecular organic Lewis base and carbon monoxide. In general, any nickel compound having a formal valence of +2 or +3 is useful in preparing the catalyst composition. Examples of such suitable nickel sources include inorganic nickel compounds, such as nickel bromide, nickel carbonate, nickel chloride, nickel chlorate, nickel acetate, nickel benzene Sulfonate, nickel benzoate, nickel citrate, nickel 2-ethylhex0nate, nickel naphthenate, nickel oxalate, nickel stearate, nickel acetylacetonate, nickel benzoylacetonate and nickel dimethylglyoxime; complexes of inorganic nickel salts, such as tris(N-methylpyrrolidone)nickel (II) bromide. From a practical viewpoint, it is often desirable to prepare the catalyst utilized in the practice of this invention in a hydrocarbon solvent. Accordingly, nickel compounds which has a significant solubility in such hydrocarbons represent a preferred group. Illustrative of this preferred group are the nickel salts of carboxylic acids containing at least six (6) carbon atoms, halogen acids and nickel compounds of organic chelating groups such as acetylacetone, benzoylacetone, dimethylglyoxime, glycine,

i-hydroxyquinoline, nitrosophenylhydroxylamine and ralicylaldehyde.

Any reducing agent which is capable under substanially anhydrous conditions of lowering the valence of iickel in a normal oxidation state of two or three to t value of less than two, and preferably to zero, is suitable for use in the present invention. Illustrative of such 'educing agents are hydrogen, the hydrazines, and metals )f Groups lA, IIA, IIB, IIIA and IVA, as well as iydride and organometallic compounds of these metals 1nd of boron. Specific examples of suitable reducing agents include hydrazine, methyl hydrazine, unsymnetrical dimethyl hydrazine, lithium, sodium, potassium, eryllium, magnesium, calcium, stronitium, barium, zinc, :ad-mium, mercury, aluminum, gallium, indium, gernanium, tin, lead, n-butyl lithium, phenyl sodium, alkyl ;odium, sodium hydride, diethyl magnesium, phenyl nagnesium bromide, calcium hydride, diethyl zinc, nercuric hydride, aluminum hydride, trimethylaluminum, .ricyclohexylaluminum, diethylaluminum chloride, ethylrluminum dichloride, ethoxydiethylaluminum, diisobu- .ylaluminum hydride, tetraethyl lead, diborane, dimethyl )orane, tetraborane, lithium aluminum hydride, and sodiim aluminum tetraethyl. The use of the hydride and )rganometallic compounds of the aforementioned non- :ransition metals, which represent a preferred group of 'educing agents, results in a particularly active and selec- ;ive catalyst composition for use in the practice of the .nvention and facilitates the isolation of the desired homo- )ligomers or co-oligomers from the reaction mixture. An zspecially preferred group of reducing agents can be represented by the formula:

R AlX wherein R is a hydride or hydrocarbyl radical, X is a ialide or hydrocarboxy radical, a is from 1 to 3 b is from to 2 and the sum of a plus b is 3. Illustrative of such compounds are trimethylaluminum, triethylalumi- "rum, tri-i-buthylalu-minum, trioctylaluminum, tridodecyltluminum, tricyclohexylaluminum, triphenylaluminum, :ritolylaluminum, ethoxydiethylaluminum, diethoxyethylaluminum, butylaluminum dihydride, diethylphenylaluni-num, aluminum trihydride, diethylalu'minum chloride, monoethylaluminum dichloride and ethylaluminum sesquehalide, i.e. a mixture of diethylaluminum chloride and :thylaluminum dichloride or a mixture of triethylalumiaum trichloride. Particularly preferred aluminum compounds for the purposes of this invention are the trialkylaluminum compounds.

Any molecular organic Lewis base can be admixed with carbon monoxide, the nickel compound and the reiucing agent in preparing the catalyst compositions of :he present invention. As used herein and in the appended :laims, the term molecular organic Lewis base is in- :ended to designate any organic molecule having at least 3H6 pair of electrons available for sharing with nickel. 3uch compounds are well known in the art and include :thylencially-unsaturated hydrocarbons, ethers, hydro- :arbyl esters of sulfric acids, heterocylic sulfur compounds, and organic derivatives of trivalent Group VA :lements.

Exemplary of ethylenically-unsaturated hydrocarbons auitable as Lewis bases are the aliphatic conjugated dioleins, such as 1,3-butadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene fisoprene), 2-chloro-l,3-butadiene (chloroprene), 2,3- lichloro-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene (piperylene), 2, l-dimethyl-l-butadiene and phenyldiolefins. Partially iubstituted halogen derivatives may also be used, includng mixed halogen derivatives. such as chloro-fiuorol,3- Jutadienes. Open chain conjugated dienes such as 2,4- iexadiene are also somewhat useful.

Cyclic aliphatic compounds containing at least two louble bonds and one or more carbocyclic rings, the unsaturation 'being in a single ring or in adjoining rings, ire also useful. Thus, bridged-ring multi-enes, such as bicyclo (2.2.1) hepta-2,5-diene (norbornadiene), 2- methylnorbornadiene, Z-propylnorbornadiene, 2-i-propylnorbornadiene, 2-n-butylnorbornadieue, Z-i-butylnorbornadiene, Z-t-butylnorbornadiene, 2-n-amylnorbornadiene, 2-(3-methyl) butylnorbornadiene, 2 neopentylnotbornadiene, 2-n-hexylnorbornadiene, 2 n octylnorbornadiene, 2-n-hexylnorbornadiene, 2-n-octylnorbornadiene, 2-n-nonylnornadiene, 2-n-dodecylnorbornadiene, Z-n-heptadecylnorbornadiene, bicyclopentadiene, bicyclo (2.2.2) octa- 2,5-diene and bicyclo (3.2.1) octa-2,S-diene may be employed, for instance. Furthermore, single ring carbocyclic multi-enes may be used including 1,5-cyclooctadiene, 1,3- cyclooctadiene, dimethyl-1,5-cyclooctadiene, 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene, l,5-cyclodecadiene, 1,6-cyclodecadiene, 1,5- cyclododecadiene, 1,3-cyclododecadiene and 1,3-cyclohexadiene may be used. In addition, functionally-substituted olefins are also somewhat useful as Lewis bases. For instance, compounds containing alpha-beta-unsaturation with respect to the functional group may be employed. Accordingly, compounds such as acrylonitrile, acrolein, crotonaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, mesityl oxide, etc., are useful.

Ethers suitable as Lewis bases include the heterocyclic ethers, such as tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, dioxane, etc.

Exemplary of the hydrocarbyl esters of sulfur acids are the sulfoxides and sulfides, such as dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethyl sulfide. Heterocyclic sulfur compounds which may be used as Lewis bases include thiophene, thiozole, and 2-chlorothiophene.

Among the organic derivatives of Group VA elements which are useful are the trihydrocarbyl esters of Group VA elements having an atomic weight of from about 30 to about 209. Thus, triethylphosphite, tri(2- ethylhexyl) phosphite, di(Z-ethlyhexyl) hydrogen phosphite, triphenylphosphite, di(p-tolyl) hydrogen phosphite, tri(p-tolyl) phosphite, triphenylphosphine, triethylarsine, triphenylsarsine, triphenylstibine, triphenylantimonite, and triethylbismuthine may be employed as Lewis bases. Organic derivatives of nitrogen may also be successfully employed. Accordingly, amines such as trimethylarnine, dioctylamine, tricyclohexylamine, triphenylamine, aniline, N-methylaniline, ethylene diamine and ethanolamine are useful. Likewise, heterocyclic nitrogen compounds including pyrrole, pyridene, pyrazole, 3- pyrroline, pyrrolidine, pyrimidine, purine, quinoline, isoquinoline and carbozole are operable. The organic derivatives of nitrogen which are especially preferred Lewis bases are the acylamido compounds, particular those corresponding to the formula:

wherein R alone is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl radicals, R alone is selected from the group consisting ofdR hydroxy, hydrocarboxy, nitroso, amino, carbonyl an radicals, R alone is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarboxy and amino radicals, and

each represent a heterocyclic radical having 5 to 6 inelusive ring members. It will, of course, be understood that the broken lines in the above formula between R and R as well as between R and R indicate that such chemical bonds are optional; i.e. that such bonds exist only when R and R or R and R represent segments of a nitrogen containing heterocyclic ring. Suitable acylamido compounds include amides, such as acetamide, benzamide, succinamide, N-methylacetamide, N,N-diethylacetamide, and N,N-dimethylformamide; imides, such as phthalimide, succinimide, N-nitrososuccinimide, N-phenylsuccinimide, N-phenylmaleimide, N-methylsuccinimide, N methylphthalimide. N acetyltetrahydrophthalimide, N-benzoylsuccinimide, and N-benzoylphthalimide; ureas, such as urea, N,N'-diethy1urea and N,N'-dimethylurea; carbamates, such as ethylcarbamate and isopropylcarbamate; and lactams, such as caprolactam,

pyrrolidone ('y-butylrolactam piperidone 6-valerolactam N-nitroso-2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-Z-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-acetyl-Z-pyrrolidone, N-acetyl-e-caprolactam, N-benzoyl-e-caprolactam, N-benzoyl-6-valerolactam, N-ethylcarbamyl-e-caprolactam, N-propionyl-w-caprolactam, N-tolyl-w-decanolactarn, 5-methyl-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 4-methyl-N-methyl-Z-pyrrolidone, 4-ethyl-N-vinyl-Z-pyrrolidone, and N-methyl-Z-piperidone.

In preparing the catalyst compositions, the reducing agent may be employed in an amount such that the molar ratio of reducing agent to nickel (positive valence) compound is from about 0.121 to 50:1, although it is seldom necessary or desirable to operate outside of the preferred range of from about 0.25:1 to about 25:1, and particularly from about 1:1 to about 12:1. The carbon monoxide may be suitably employed in a molar ratio to nickel of from about 0.321 to about 3.5 :1, preferably 0.5 :1 to about 1.5:1. The preferred Lewis bases for preparing the catalyst compositions are the conjugated di-. olefins particularly butadiene. Thus, the catalyst compositions may be prepared in a suitable inert solvent by admixing the nickel compound, reducing agent, and carbon monoxide in the relative proportions recited above with at least about 0.5 mole of butadiene per mole of nickel compound, preferably at least about 2.0 moles of butadiene per mole of nickel compound. It is generally not necessary to use more than about 6.0 moles of butadiene or like conjugated diolefin Lewis base per mole of nickel compound to produce the desired catalytic effect.

While butadiene is the preferred Lewis base, other molecular organic compounds having at least one electron pair available for sharing with nickel may also be employed in lieu of or in conjunction with butadiene in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 6.0 moles per mole of nickel compound. Indeed, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of our invention, an organic derivative of a Group V-A element, particularly a derivative of nitrogen such as an acylamido compound corresponding to the structural formula set forth above, is employed in conjunction with 1,3-butadiene as a coLewis base. The acylamido compound is desirably employed in a molar ratio to nickel compound of from about 2.5:1 to about 3.511, while the molar ratio of butadiene to nickel compound desirably is at least about 2:1, e.g. 2:1 to about 6:1. It has been found that the conjunctive use of 1,3- butadiene and an acylamido compound as Lewis bases results in the formation of an active nickel coordination catalyst complex which significantly reduces the formation of undesirable low molecular weight solid polymeric by-products of the oligomerization of aliphatic conjugated diolefins. N-methyl-Z-pyrrolidone is an especially suitable acylamido compound for this purpose.

The solvent used in preparing the catalyst composition may be any inert organic solvent, such as benzene, toluene, petroleum naphtha, hexane, heptane, isooctane, cyclohexane, etc.

The nickel coordination complex is especially effective in catalyzing the oligomerization of a monomer feed comprising an aliphatic conjugated diolefin. Butadiene is the preferred aliphatic conjugated diolefin. However, other conjugated diolefins, such as isoprene and piperylene, may also be employed. If desired, peroxides may be removed from the diene feed prior to oligomerization by treatment with ferrous salts, thiosulfates, or sulfites, according to available methods.

As previously noted, the conjugated diolefin monomers may be oligomerized in the presence of the catalyst compositions of this invention to produce predominantly cyclic oligomers, particularly those having twelve (12) carbon atoms in the carbocyclic ring, such as 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene. Furthermore, the active nickel coordination complexes effectively and rapidly catalyze the co-oligomerization of conjugated diolefins and a comonomer selected from the group consisting of (1) hydrocarbons having the formula:

/A C Hz C wherein A is selected from the group consisting of phenyl and hydrogen radicals; (2) acetylenic hydrocarbons; (3) vinyl halides; and (4) cap-unsaturated carbonyls and nitriles. Exemplary of specific co-monomers are ethylene, styrene, divinylbenzene, vinyl chloride, acetylene, propyne, acrolein, crotonaldehyde, methylacrylate, methylmethacrylate and acrylonitrile. The preferred co-monomers are ethylene and styrene. Thus, the co-oligomerization of two (2) moles of butadiene and one (1) mole of ethylene may be effected in the presence of the active nickel coordination complexes of this invention to produce cyclic di olefins containing ten (10) ring carbon atoms, such as 1,5-cyclodecadiene, in high yields, as well as normal 1,4,9-decatriene. Likewise, 1,3-butadiene (2 moles) and styrene (1 mole) may be co-oligomerized in the presence of our catalyst compositions to l-phenyl derivatives of cyclic and normal unsaturated hydrocarbons, such as l-phenyl-1,4,9-decatriene and 1 phenyl 3,7 cyclodecadiene.

Oligomerization reactions effected in the presence of our catalyst compositions may be suitably carried out in an inert organic solvent, such as one used in preparing the catalyst composition under substantially anhydrous conditions. While the oligomerization reactions do not form a part of the present invention, the following reaction conditions are presented for illustrative purposes. The temperature at which the o-ligomerization reaction is carried out may vary over a wide range, such as from about 0 C. to about 180 C., although the range of 20 C. to 150 C., particularly 30 C. to C., is generally most preferred. In general, reactions conducted at temperatures below about 20 to 30 C. are quite slow, while operating temperatures above about 100 to C. may result in diminished yields of the desired oligomer product. Furthermore, in co-oligomerization of butadiene with ethylene higher reaction temperatures tend to favor formation of linear decatriene product. When it is desired to produce predominantly 1,5-cyclodecadiene, temperatures below about 80 C. are preferred. Optimum pressure is dependent on the particular monomer(s) oligomerized. Thus, in the oligomerization of 1,3-butadiene, the reaction pressure may range from about 10 to about 500 p.s.i.g., or higher. On the other hand, the co-oligomerization of butadiene and ethylene may be advantageously conducted using pressures up to about 3,000 p.s.i.g., or

7 higher. The concentration of catalyst in the reaction mixture may advantageously range from about 0.01 to about by weight of the monomer(s), although concentrations within the range of 0.1% to about 2.0% are usually most preferred.

If desired, polymerization inhibitors may also be included in the reaction mixture, for instance, in an amount of from about 0.001% to about 4.0% based on the weight of the monomer feed. Suitable polymerization inhibitors are well known to the art and include phenol, catechol, p-tert-butyl catechol, resorcinol and hydroquinone.

Following completion of the oligomerization reaction, conventional techniques may be employed to deactivate the catalyst composition and recover the desired oligomer products. One suitable catalyst deactivation procedure involves contacting the reaction mixture with aqueous methanol.

In producing co-oligomers of butadiene and ethylene or butadiene and styrene, for instance, 1,5-cyclodecadiene or 1-phenyl-3,7-cyclodecadiene, butadiene and the comonomer may be contacted with the active nickel coordination complex in a molar ratio of from about 1:1 to about 3:1. However, butadienezco-monomer mole ratios of from about 0.05:1 to about :1 may also be used. It should be noted, however, that lower butadiene: co-monomer molar ratios within the specified ranges tend to favor the formation of linear oligomer product.

The catalyst compositions of the invention, and the elfectiveness of the compositions as aligomerization catalyst will now be further illustrated with reference to the following specific examples, which are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.

Examples 1-2 Examples 1 and 2 illustrate the advantages obtained by preparing the catalyst composition in the presence of carbon monoxide, in accordance with the present invention. The examples also illustrate the in situ preparation of the catalyst composition in the presence of 1,3- butadiene monomer, whereby a butadiene-nickel (0) complex is formed which catalyzes the oligomerization of the remaining butadiene.

In each of Examples 1-2, a clean dry 300 ml. stainless steel autoclave equipped with a magnetic stirrer was flushed with argon, evacuated and then charged with ml. of benzene, 3.9 millimoles of nickel acetylacetonate, 19.5 millimoles of triethylaluminum and 100 grams of butadiene. In Example 2, which represents the run in accordance with the present invention, carbon monoxide (3.9 millimoles) was also added to the autoclave prior to reducing the valence of nickel by the addition of triethylaluminum. Following charging of the reactants, the contents of the autoclave were stirred and the temperature was raised to 80 C. The reaction in each case was carried out to a butadiene conversion of about 85-90%. Yield of 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene was high in both cases. However, in the run employing carbon monoxide in accordance with the invention (Example 2), the desired butadiene conversion was obtained at a reaction time of 25 minutes, while a reaction time of 150 minutes was required in Example 1 (110 CO employed in catalyst preparation) to obtain 85-90% butadiene conversion.

Examples 3-4 The procedures of Examples 1 and 2 were substantially repeated except that 11.7 millimoles of N-methyl-Z-pyrrolidone were charged to the autoclave in each case as a co-Lewis base with 1,3-butadiene. A butadiene conversion of 85-90% was achieved at about 180 minutes when CO was not added during catalyst preparation (Example 3), and at about minutes when CO was employed during catalyst preparation (Example 4). The employment of N-methylpyrrolidone as a Lewis base in conjunction with butadiene substantially decreased formation of undesirable low molecular weight solid polymer.

Examples 5-6 Examples 5-6 illustrate the preparation of 1,5-cyclodecadiene from a monomer mixture of 1,3-butadiene and ethylene using the catalyst composition of the invention (Example 6) compared to using a catalyst composition not formed in the presence of carbon monoxide (Example 5).

In Example 5, a 500 ml. autoclave was charged with 11.2 grams of a 9.0% solution of nickel acetylacetonate in benzene, ml. of benzene, 6.5 ml. of a 20% solution of triethylaluminum in benzene, 10 grams of butadiene and 60 grams of ethylene. The reaction temperature was raised to about 50 C. and the contents of the autoclave were stirred. While maintaining temperature of 50 C., 180 grams of butadiene were pumped into the autoclave by means of a Iapp pump at a rate such that the reaction pressure was maintained at -100 p.s.i.g. Approximately 20 hours were required for butadiene addition.

The recovered reaction mixture was analyzed by gas chromatography to give the following selectivities.

TABLE 1 Wt. percent Cyclooctadiene and vinylcyclohexene 22.8 1,4,9-decatriene 8.2 1,5-cyclodecadiene 27.6 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene 31.3 Non-volatiles 10.1

In accordance with Example 6, 0.11 gram of carbon monoxide were also charged to the autoclave prior to adding the bulk of the butadiene. With the autoclave contents at 50 C., 180 grams of butadiene were introduced at a rate such that the reaction pressure was maintained between about 80 to p.s.i.g. Only 2 /2 hours were required to add the requisite amount of butadiene compared to about 20 hours in Example 5, which indicates that the presence of carbon monoxide during catalyst formation enhances the reaction rate of the subsequent oligomerization reaction. Gas chromatography indicated the following product selectivities:

Besides increasing reaction rate, it will also be noted from a comparison of the data set forth in Tables 1 and 2 that significantly higher 1,5-cyclodecadiene selectivity was obtained by carrying out the butadiene-ethylene cooligomerization reaction with the catalyst of the present invention (i.e., Example 6).

Examples 7-9 The following co-oligomerization reactions of butadiene and ethylene were carried out in accordance with Examples 7-9, which demonstrate the necessity of a Lewis base, e.g. butadiene, during catalyst preparation. In Example 7, triethylaluminum, nickel acetylacetonate and carbon monoxide were mixed together in a mole ratio of 25:11 prior to charging the autoclave with the monomers. In Example 8, triethylaluminum, nickel acetylacetonate and carbon monoxide were mixed together in the same mole ratio in the presence of ethylene only, while in Example 9, the catalyst components were mixed together in the presence of both butadiene and ethylene. The reaction conditions and results were as set forth in 10 Table 3, below. In Table 3, 1,5-cyclodecadiene is abof undesirablelow molecular weight solid polymer (nonbreviated as C D 1,4,9-decatriene isabbreviated as volatiles) significantly decreased. nC T; 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene is abbreviated as CDT. Examples 1 Example These examples illustrate the use of various reducing Tri thyl l min m, y py Carbon IIIOII- 5 agents in preparing the nickel (0) catalyst compositions.

oxide, nickel naphthenate, butadiene, ethylene and ben- Nickel acetylacetonate was reduced by means of the ene olvent were charged to a 10' ml: autoclave. The reducing agents set forth in Table 6, below, in thepresence TABLE 3 Reaction Cat. Butadiene: Bntadiene Ethylene Product selectivity time T mp. 00110- ylene conversion conversion Example (hrs.) C.) (percen mole (percen (percent Non- V w.) ratlo w.) w.) C1 D nC I CDT Others volatile 7 6 0 0. 5 No conversion No conversion 6 60 0.5 127521 Low conversion Qualitative VPC shows CwD 6 60 0. 5 1:75:1 90 60 68. 3 4. 4 15. 4 9. 5 2. 2

mole ratio of AlzN-MPzCOzNi was 2.5:3z1z1, and butaof carbon monoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone, butadiene and dienezethylene mole ratio was 1.421. The catalyst concenethylene in a benzene solvent. In each case, butadiene: tration was 1.0 weight percent. The reaction Was carried ethylene mole ratio was 1.75:1, and the mole ratio of outat a temperature of 50 C. for five (5) hours. Butareducing agent:N-methylpyrrolidone:CO:nickel acetyldiene conversion was'90.6%, and ethylene conversion was acetonate was 4:3:1z1. Catalyst concentration was 1.0

56.5%. The recovered reaction product was analyzed by wt. percent. Furthermore, reaction temperature in each gas chromatography with the following results: case was about 50 C. while reaction time was four (4) hours.

TABLE 6 Selectivity Conv., Example Reducing agent percent COD 010T C D CDT Non-Vol.

14 Phenylmagnesium bromide 45 14.5 1.3 55.5 18.4 5. 3 15..- -i Butyllithiumnfl 25 38.5 44.5 10.8 6.1 16- Sodium borohydr1de 10 Qualitative VPC shows C10D5 17 Tributylalummunn 85 5.2 5.0 71.5 14.2 2.0 18 Dibutylaluminum hydride 91 6.8 2.7 73.0 13.0 2.1

TABLE 4 It will be noted that while aluminum compounds are Wt.'percent the preferred reducing agentsyother reducing agents may 1 5. 1 d di 72.4 also be used with some advantage. 1,4,9-decatriene 3.8 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene 12.5 Examples 19 21 Others 1- l "r" 40 These examples illustrate the use of various acylamido Non'vo compounds other than N-methyl-Z-pyrrolidon i o junction with butadiene in preparing active nickel (0) Examples 11-13 catalysts complexes. In each case, triethylaluminum, the Examples 11-13 further illustrate the advantageous use acylamido compound, carbon monoxide and nickel of N-methyl-Z-pyrrolidone in conjunction with butadiene a acetylacetonate were admixed in a molar ratio of as a Lewis base in preparing the nickel coordination 4:25 :1:1 in the presence of butadiene and ethylene in a catalysts. molar ratio of 1.75 :1 in benzene solvent. Catalyst concen- Triethylaluminum, carbon monoxide, N-methylpyrroli tration was 1.0 wt. percent. The operating temperature done, nickel naphthenate, butadiene and ethylene were a about and the reaction time was about 4 mixed together in a benzene solvent in the mole ratios hours in each case. The results were as follows:

TABLE 7 Selectivities Butadiene Conv.(w. Non- Example Acylamido Comp. percent) COD 010T CIODE CDT Vol.

lformarnide s3 3. 4 6. 4 72. 6 11. 1 5. 9 71 4.3 8.1 66.6 10.9 10.1 N'methyl-2-piperidone 77 3.6 10.1 68.3 10.9 7.1

noted in Table 5, below, and the co-oligomerizationof Examples 22-25 butadiene and ethylene was conducted wlth the follo-wmg results. In the table, Ni represents 'nickel contained in These examples Illustrate the use of Varlous Lewls bases nickel naphthenate, N-MP represents N-methyl-pyrroliother than acylamldo Compounds ill Conjunction With done and TEA" represents triethylaluminum. butadiene in preparing the active nickel (0) catalysts TABLE 5 Mole Ratios Selectivities Butadiene: Cat. Cone. Temp. Time Conv., Ex. TEA;N-MP:CO:N1 ethylene (wt. percent) 0.) (hrs) percent COD CWT C D CDT Non-Vol.

It will be noted from the data set forth in Table 5 that complexes of the invention. In each case, triethylalumias the concentration of N-methylpyrrolidone increased, num, co-Lewis base, carbon monoxide and nickel acetylselectivity of 1,5-cyclodecadiene increased and formation 75 acetonate were admixed in a molar ratio of 4:3:1:1 in

the presence of butadiene and ethylene in a molar ratio of 1.75:1 in benzene solvent. Catalyst concentration was 1.0 wt. percent. The operating temperature was about 50 C. and the reaction time was about 4 hours in each case. The results were as follows:

12 changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended to cover all such changes and modifications in the appended claims:

TABLE 8 Butadiene Selectivities Conversion Example Co-Lewis Base (wt. percent) COD 010T OmDa CDT Non-Vol. 22 Ethanolamine 81 3. 5 10. 1 67. 6 10. 8 8. l. 23. 2(1H)pyridone 59 2. 9 9 9 68. 5 5. 2 13. 5 24- Piperidine 55 3. 7 8.1 62.1 7. 6 18.4 25 Triphenyl-phosphine- 54 8. 6 7. 2 61. 3 12.1 10. 8

Example 26 5 Therefore, we claim:

Examples 27-33 These examples illustrate the co-oligomerization of butadiene and styrene to form phenyl-substituted linear and cyclic oligomers using the active nickel catalysts of the invention. The reactions were carried out in a stirred, 300 ml. autoclave according to the conditions set forth in Table 9.

1. A process for preparing a catalyst composition which comprises admixing under substantially anhydrous conditions (a) a nickel compound selected from the group consisting of nickel (II) and nickel (III) compounds,

(b) a reducing agent capable of reducing the valence of nickel to below 2 which is selected from the group consisting of metals of Groups I-A, II-A, II-B, III-A and IV-A and hydride and organometallic compounds of said metals and boron,

(d) a molecular organic Lewis base.

2. Processes as in claim 1 wherein said reducing agent is represented by the formula R AlX; wherein R is a radical selected from the group consisting of hydride and hydrocarbyl radicals, X is a radical selected from the group consisting of halide and hydrocarboxy radicals, a is from 1 to 3, b is from 0 to 2 and the sum of a plus b is 3.

3. Process as in claim 2 wherein said reducing agent is V a trialkyl-alumiuum compound.

TABLE 9 Example Autoclave Charge 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Benzene solvent (m1.) 35 35 35 Nickel acetylacetonate (mmoles). 3. 9 3. 9 3. 9 Nickel napthenate (mmoles) Nickel chloride (mmoles) N ,N-dirnethyl iormamide (mmoles) 11.7 11.7 11.7 N-methyl-2-pyrroiidone (mmoles) 11.7 11.7 9.8 11.7 Carbon monoxide (mmoles) 3. 9 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.9 3. 9 Triethylaluminum (mmoles)- 11.7 11.7 11.7 15.6 11.7 Diethylethoxyaiurninum (mmoles 11.7 11.7 Butadiene (moles) 1 1 1 1 1 Styrene (moles) 0. 5 0. 5 0. 6 0. 5 0. 6 0. 6 0. 55 Oligomerlzation condition Reaction time hrs. 1 1 2 2 1 4 1 Reaction Temp. 0.). 80 90 50 40 40 Total reaciion pressure (p.s.i.g 150 75 120 75 e0 e0 Butadiene conversion (wt.

perc 92 90 88 91 94 65 Product selectivity (wt percent) Vinyleyclohexene 4. 0 4. 5 3. 1 1. 1 4. 1 4. 7 3. 1 1,5-cyclooctadiene 5. 0 4. 5 3. 2 2. 1 7. 1 1. 9 3. 4 1,5,9-cyciododecatriene 32.7 26.9 11.6 37.6 8.7 10.1 12.6 l-phenyl-3,7cyclodecadiene 3.5 58.3 55.6 4.9 61.3 61.7 63.6 1-phenyl-1,4,9-decatriene 48.6 9.2 23.4 51.3 10.1 12.9 13.1 Non-volatile 6. 2 5. 8 4. l 7. 1 9. 7 8. 6 4. 2

It will be noted from the data of Table 9 that butadiene 4. Process as in claim 1 wherein the valence of nickel is and styrene may be rapidly co-oligomerized by the present reduced to 0 upon mixing with said reducing agent. catalysts to high selectivities of 1-phenyl-3,7-cyclodeca- 5. Process as in claim 1 wherein said Lewis base is an diene and 1-phenyl-l,4,9-decatriene. The selectivity of 0 aliphatic conjugated diolefin. the pheuyl-substituted cyclodecadiene may be increased 6. Process as in claim 5 wherein said conjugated dioleby operating at lower reaction temperatures, e.g. below fin is 1,3-butadiene. about 80 C. 7. Process as in claim 1 wherein the mole ratio of said As is known in the art, the linear triene oligomers, reducing agent to said nickel compound is from about such as 1,4,9-decatriene and l-phenyl-1,4,9-decatriene, 5 0.1:1 to about 50:1, the mole ratio of carbon monoxide to which are produced using the present catalysts, are useful said nickel compound is from about 0.321 to about 3.5:1 as third monomers in the manufacture of ethylene-propyland the mole ratio of said Lewis base to said nickel comene terpolymers. The unsaturated cyclic oligomer prodpound is at least about 0.5 :1. ucts, such as 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene, 1,5-cyclodecadiene 8- Pr cess as in Claim 7 wherein the mole ratio Of said and 1-phenyl-3,7-cyclodecadiene may be converted by 7 reducing agent to said nickel compound is from about 1:1 known procedures to useful dibasic acids or like useful to about 12:1, the H1016 ratio of carbon monoxide o said compounds. nickel compound is from about 0.5 :1 to about 1.5 :1 and While the invention has been described above with the mole ratio of said Lewis base to said nickel compound respect to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will is at least about 2:1. be understood by those skilled in the art that various 9. A process for preparing acatalyst composition which comprises admixing under substantially anhydrous conditions a nickel compound selected from the group consisting of nickel (II) and nickel (III) compounds, a reducing agent capable of reducing the valence of nickel to below 2, carbon monoxide, a first molecular organic Lewis base consisting of a conjugated aliphatic diolefin and a second molecular organic Lewis base consisting of an organic derivative of a Group VA element.

10. Process as in claim 9 wherein said Group VA element is nitrogen.

11. Process as in claim wherein said organic derivative of nitrogen is an acylamido compound represented by the formula wherein R alone is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl radicals, R alone is selected from the group consisting of R hydroxy, hydrocarboxy, nitroso, amino, carbonyl and radicals, R alone is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarboxy, and amino radicals, and

each represent a heterocyclic radical having 5-6 inclusive carbon atoms.

12. Process as in claim 9 wherein the valence of nickel is reduced to 0 upon mixing with said reducing agent.

13. Process as in claim 9 wherein said conjugated aliphatic diolefin is 1,3-butadiene and said organic derivative of a Group VA element is N-methyl-Z-pyrrolidone.

14. Process as in claim 9 wherein the mole ratio of said reducing agent to said nickel compound is from about 0.1 :l to about 50:1, the mole ratio of carbon monoxide to said nickel compound is from about 0.3:1 to about 3.5: 1, the mole ratio of said conjugated aliphatic diolefin to said nickel compound is at least about 0.5 :1 and the mole ratio of said organic derivative of a Group VA element to said nickel compound is from about 0.5 :1 to about 6:1.

15. Process as in claim 14 wherein the mole ratio of said reducing agent to said nickel compound is from about 1:1 to about 12:1, the mole ratio of carbon monoxide to said nickel compound is from about 0.5 :1 to about 1.5 :1, the mole ratio of said conjugated aliphatic diolefin to said nickel compound is at least about 2:1 and the mole ratio of said organic derivative of a Group VA element to said nickel compound is from about 2.5 :1 to about 3.511.

16. A catalyst composition comprising the interaction products of:

(a) a nickel compound selected from the group consisting of nickel (II) and nickel (III) compounds,

(b) a reducing agent capable of reducing the valence of nickel to below 2 which is selected from the group, consisting of metals of Groups I-A, II-A, II-B, III-A and IV-A and hydride and organometallic compounds of said metals and boron,

(c) carbon monoxide, and

(d) a molecular organic Lewis base.

17. Composition as in claim 16 wherein said reducing agent is represented by the formula R AlX wherein R is a radical selected from the group consisting of hydride and hydrocarbyl radicals, X is a radical selected from the group consisting of halide and hydrocarboxy radicals, a is from 1 to 3, b is from 0 to 2, and the sum of a pulse b is 3.

18. Composition as in claim 17 wherein said reducing agent is a trialkylaluminum compound.

19. Composition as in claim 16 wherein the valence of nickel in said composition is reduced to 0 upon mixing with said reducing agent.

20. Composition as in claim 16 wherein said Lewis base is an aliphatic conjugated diolefin.

- 21. Composition as in claim 20 wherein said conjugated diolefin is 1,3-butadiene.

22. Composition as in claim 16 wherein the mole ratio of said reducing agent to said nickel compound is from about 0.121 to about 50:1, the mole ratio of carbon monoxide to said nickel compound is from about 0.3:1 to about 3.521 and the mole ratio of said Lewis base to said nickel compound is at least about 0.5:1.

23. Composition as in claim 22 wherein the mole ratio of said reducing agent to said nickel compound is from about 1:1 to about 12:1, the mole ratio of carbon monoxide to said nickel compound is from about 0.5:1 to about 1.5:1 and the mole ratio of said Lewis base to said nickel compound is at least about 2:1.

24. A catalyst composition comprising the interaction products of:

(a) a nickel compound selected from the group consisting of nickel (II) and nickel (III) compounds, (b) a reducing agent capable of reducing the valence of nickel to below 2,

(0) carbon monoxide,

(d) a first molecular organic Lewis base consisting of a conjugated aliphatic diolefin, and

(e) a second molecular organic Lewis base consisting of an organic derivative of a Group VA element.

25. Composition as in claim 24 wherein said Group VA element is nitrogen.

26. Composition as in claim 25 said organic derivative of nitrogen is an acylamido compound represented by the formula:

wherein R alone is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted-hydrocarbyl radicals, R alone is selected from the group consisting of R hydroxy, hydrocarboxy, nitroso, amino, carbonyl, and

radicals, R alone is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarboxy and amino radicals, and

each represent a heterocyclic radical having 5-6 inclusive carbon atoms.

27. Composition as in claim 24 wherein the valence of nickel in said composition is reduced to 0 upon mixing with said reducing agent.

28. Composition as in claim 24 wherein said conjugated aliphatic diolefin is 1,3-butadiene and said organic derivative of a Group VA element is N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.

29. Composition as in claim 24 wherein the mole ratio of said reducing agent to said nickel compound is from about 0.121 to about 50:1, the mole ratio of carbon monoxide to said nickel compound is from about 0.3:1 to about 3.5:1, the mole ratio of said conjugated aliphatic diolefin to said nickel compound is at least about 0.5:1 and the mole ratio of said organic derivative of a Group VA element to said nickel compound is from about 0.521 to about 6:1.

30. Composition as in claim 29 wherein the mole ratio of said reducing agent to said nickel compound is from about 1:1 to about 12:1, the mole ratio of carbon monoxide to said nickel compound is from about 0.5 :1 to about 1.5 :1, the mole ratio of said conjugated aliphatic diolefin to said nickel compound is at least about 2:1 and the mole ratio of said organic derivative of a Group V-A to said nickel compound is from about 2.5 :1 to about 3.5 :1.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,392,203 7/1968 Olechowski 260-666 3,277,099 10/1966 Seibt 260666 16 5/1959 Lautenschlager 260486 9/1960 Podall 23-203 5/1962 Longiave 260-94.3

OTHER REFERENCES Chem. Review, vol. 21, No. 1, August 1937, pp. 3-38.

US. Cl. X.R.

@333? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 49 745 Dated January 20 1970 Inventor(s) St j E nd Arthur A Arseneaux It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 46, after "num" insert--and aluminum--.

Column 10, TABLE 3, below "Nonvolatile", "2.2" should read-- 2I3 Column 12, Claim 1, between lines 25 and 26, insert--(c) carbon monoxide, and-.

Column 13, Claim 17, line 74, "pulse", should read--plus--.

Column 15, Claim 30, line 7, after "Group V-A" insert--element SifiNEB Am 3% LE B (SEAL) Anew Eawaun I f mm 1:. scam, an. em Offi r flomissionsr of Patents J 

